Vista Strawberry Festival
May 24, Sunday, 8am-6pm
The Vista Strawberry Festival returns to historic downtown Vista on Sunday, May 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There are activities for all ages to enjoy, including live entertainment, a 5K and kids’ run, Film Festival, Beer Garden (21+ only) featuring beer, wine, and mead from local brewers, Carnival Zone running Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Vista Magnet Middle School field and a variety of contests. The event is free and open to the public. The City of Vista’s strawberry industry was thriving in the 60s and 70s when Vista’s large size, sweet strawberries were shipped daily throughout the U.S. and Europe. The Vista Strawberry Festival keeps its history alive each year with the Vista Strawberry Festival in downtown Vista.
This year’s festival features hundreds of vendors in Vista’s Historic Downtown area. Throughout the day, there is live music, a pie-eating contest, costume contest, and Film Festival. Competitive attendees are also invited to test their strength and endurance in more unique contests, such as beer stein holding and unraveling a wadded frozen T-shirt, both taking place inside the Beer Garden. Girls under 10 can win prizes by competing in the Little Miss Strawberry Shortcake pageant as well.
The festival kicks off with the 5K Strawberry Run, starting at 7:30am. The 3.1-mile course is scenic and mostly flat. All participants receive a commemorative event T-shirt, custom medal, fun-filled goodie bag, fresh strawberries, and a free beer in the beer garden (for ages 21 and older). The 5K is followed by two kids’ runs on 1-mile and 1/4-mile courses.
For more information, visit www.vistastrawberryfest.com and follow the Strawberry Festival on social media @vistastrawberryfestival.
